Klamath Falls man, 72, drowns in Klamath Lake

A 72-year-old Klamath Falls man drowned when his fishing boat capsized in the wind and waves of Klamath Lake on Sunday, but his son made it to safety, Klamath County Sheriff Chris Kaber said.

Deputies were dispatched at 8:15 a.m. to the Howard Bat boat ramp on the east side of Doak Mountain, near Highway 140W, on a report of a capsized boat with one survivor but another person missing, Kaber said.

Deputies responded, along with Marine Division deputies and the Dive Rescue Unit, the sheriff said. They arrived about 15 minutes after the initial call and learned that James Mikesell had made it to safety, but his father, Vernon Lee Mikesell, was last seen when their boat overturned.

Kaber said the capsized boat, a 15-foot tri-hull built 50 years ago, experienced engine failure after a line fouled the prop. The father and son tried to return to the boat ramp using a trolling motor, but the wind made the boat uncontrollable and waves overtook it, causing it to capsize.

The sheriff said neither of the boat’s occupants was wearing available life jackets.

Vernon Mikesel’s body was recovered about an hour later by the dive rescue unit, Kaber said.